Electricity-measuring instrument and timing device therefor.



to be effective at CHESTER I. HALL, OF CHICAGO,

COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO ELECTRIC METER.

ILLINOIS, .A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICITY-MEASUBING INSTRUMENT TIMING DEVICE TH'EBEFOB.

Specaton o! Letters Patent.

Application ledrune 18, 1913. Serial No. 774,292.

.To all whom 'it may concern:

, Be it' known that I, CHESTER I. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing' at Chicago, in the lcounty of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electricity-Measuring Instruments and Timing Devices Therefor, of which the following is a full, clear, conoise, and exact description, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming a art of this specification.

y invention relates to an improved frm of electricity measuring devices and timing devices therefor, in which mechanical gearing and rotating parts are entirely done away withV and the measurin is accomplished by extremely simple 'devices in an accurate manner.

My invention operates on the electrolytic principle, and in connection therewith I provide means for periodically restoring the device to its initial condition, as a result of which the mechanism not only indicates the' current or energy fiowing through an electric circuit in a given time, but also indicates the maximum amount of current or energy flowing for any 4one of a successive number of equal intervals of time, the timing being determined bya device also operating on the electrolytic principle. By my invention,

both the measuring and timing operations are the result of, first, the electrolytic'decomposition of an acid solution, andthe subseyTent combination ofthe gases formed by t e electrolytic action; the subsequent com" bination being controlled by certain connec- ,tions and ignitingl t e ends of recurring intervals of time.

' The several drawings illustrating my invention areas follows:

Figure 1 shows in elevation, partially in section and diagrammatic circuit connections, the apparatus as connected for measuring the maximum demand of current or enorgy fiowing in arcircuit y Figs. Zand Bihow modificdscle constructions for different conditions of voltage andr time intervals; and .y

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic circuit drawing showing the connection of my measuring devices used for indicating the maximum de mand for any one ofrecurring intervalsconnected to a regular electricity meter.

apparatus so related asl Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. i l

As shown in Fig. 1, the mechanism consists of a Utube 1 hermetically sealed at its smaller end, with a hot-wire filament 2 sealed-inside of the end of the tube. At the lower portion of the shorter leg of the tube, two electrodes 3 and 4 are sealed in the wall of the tube so as to project into the tube a sufficient distance to produce an electrolytic action of the solution in the tube wheny current is caused to How from one electrodeto lthe other. .The longer leg of the tube has disposed in it, and resting upon the surface of the solution in the tube, a very light float 5which may be of cork or similar material, which has secured to its upper surface a light-spring 6 for retaining the float in any position to which it may be raised by the liquid in the longer leg of the U-tube. vThis longer leg is covered with a cap 7 provided with a` central perforation 8 to permit the 'ioat 5 to readily rise in the longer leg as the gases are formed in the shorter leg and the liquid is displaced in the shorter leg into the longer leg of the U-tube. A scale 9 is supported adjacent to the longer leg of the U- tube by means of suitable clips 10, 10, and is so disposedthat the zero of the scale is even with the bottom of the float 5 when the shorter leg of the U-tube is filled with the acid solution. This acid solution is preferably a ten lper cent. sulfuric acid solution, so that it is a comparatively good conductor between the electrodes 3 and 4. These electrodes are connected with the terminals of a shunt V11, which is connected in circuit with the load 12 upon the electric feeders 13 and Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

resented as a lamp load, although it is ap parent that the measuring device will operate equally well if the load :takes any other forni. Furthermore, while the electrodes 3 and 4 are shown as connected with a shunt 11, it will be understood that a` current trans former may be used it desired in connV ction with alternating current work.

l A second, somewhat similar. U-tube 15 is also mounted in vertical position, as indicated. and has its shorter leg construct-ed in a manner very similar to that shown and described for the Utube 1., there being a hot-wire filament 16 sealed into the hermeticallyfclosed end of the shorter leg, and elec.

j "is l. abats-i517' unaA 1s helm-antw sealed-'into the side wall of the tube at the lower` end 'of'l -these term1nals`20'and 21. These terminals,

f 'preferably made of contact; with the solutlon shall be very good, "."th'at they maybe'sealed readily in the' glass .of the tubes and further, so that they will .not be corroded by the acid. The plunger 19 one of its.sides, so that the solution in the longer..y leg may move readily. upward.v andjdown-fv ward-according' as .the gases are formed n-A fi the shorter leg,orre'combined bythe action oi 'the hot filament 16. B' moving the.plun`.

lbe. observed that.;

the' terminalsV 20 and 21 are brought into en -.2 gagement .with the solution for different@vl jthat" therefore] the U-tubej15' *constitutes a 'Y the shorter leg. The'longer leg of the`U- tube .15 has mounted in it a plunger 19-of gaged by the solution in the U-tube when it has been 'suilciently displaced from -the` shorter leg so as to reach thel lowerends of.

as wellas the electrodes referred ^to,' are is provided with a. goove' 22 along ger 19 'up or. down, it wi amounts 4of gases collected in the upper end .of the shorterleg ofv thel U-tube' 1'5. ;-The. terminals 1'( and 1-8v are connected` with the. line wire 14 and one terminal of a.-hi`gh'I"e-.`

sistancev 23,. the'- other.- .terminall. of which-pis connected with thefoth'er line .wire- 13. 'A s aresult, the electrodesl'( and -18. have a cur-1 rent flowing between them which' is propo'r.A tional to--thevoltage or pressure between the f line wires' -13 land 14,- and the electrodesl 3 and'4 have a current flowing. between theml which is proportional to the loa-d current.. j

The operation lof the-apparatus. .described is as follows:

electrolytic actiontakes-place betweenthe terminals 3V andr 4'. proportional' -to the amount of load current, and fhylrogen and.y oxygen gases are. liberatedl andaccumulate l in the upper endfof the shorterlegof the Utuhe 1 ,around the hot-wire filament 2' in proportion tothe load current; v`-At the sametime current flows' between the-. electrodes' 17 and 18, producing an electrolyti'c action pro-'f portionalA to the voltage orlpressure Vbetween "the linel wires 13 and14, andas a'result ofpf" the electrolytic. action, hydrogen and ox gen4 gases are formed in the upper end o the "i1 shorter leg of the U-tube 15 around the .hot-'wire filament :16. As the gases accumulate-in the U-tube 1, 'the io'at 5 is raised aV corresponding amount, andas thegases ac-. t cumulate in the U-tube 15,l the level f thel .acid solutionin the .longer legis -raised4 a corresponding'amount This action continues until the acid solution in the U- tube 15 comes in Contact `with-the lowervtime intervals ends ofi the". terminals 2Q vand "21, at which ltime a' circuit4 is closed 4:from thel line wires 13 and 14 through the resistance 24, since, as indicated, -this-y resistance, the terminals 20 and 21, and: the hot-'wire iilaments'2 and 7 formthese gases.' As.. af. result, the vacidso'- lutio'n in each tube at fonce `moves upward vin the shorter leg of thetube togcompletely fill 80- .vit, and in the U-tubev 1 the float 5 is. left in its elevated positionas a result Vof theaetio'n ofthe.spring6,;whilejthe solution in the longer leg o the U.'tube: 15 at' once: drops below thev lower'` ends ofthe vterminals 20 andy 85 211,; thus, Abreakingth'e circuit through the "hotwirefilamentsjQ- and*16:5

upon the`vline wi`r'es. 13 and 14. isl-4 ractieally constant,;.therate' (af-'production' o vthe gases 0'v timing elementv for' determining the length of time` that the gases lare' allowed to collect .in the U-tnbe {1 ,1 .and -further that vthis timel 95" interval maylbe varied by movi ng the plun.

in the longer legof the gerv 19 up or down Fromme descritti@ gbevfgitngii fein) appear-that the U-tube 1,' 1with`fits vfloat 5f 100 andscale 9, constitute,l when controlled by the-timing 'device referred to," a :maximum f demand indicator, which shows; theji.maxi,.i mnm..ani'o'unt of.electricalfdeinand made* j upo'nf'the linewiresland'ltbythe-...loadim;4 At the beginning. of the 'measuringcperafi tion the shorter legof each Utube iseom--`l pletely lled with theacidsolution., Then' 12 '.,eit'her in current-time units or energy-ftme units, since the. .voltage, being. apractically constantqquantity'. may be nco 'o-r rated in the' 'reading' by properly calibraiting ...the scale 9.' In other wordsto read current- `110 -time units one scale .is used, and to readf-v energy-tmeunts another 'scale' is. used, .in i whlcheach:s cale. d1v1s1on has-a value. repre;-

se'ntinA the product` of the unit yof current by thefvo tage onthe main line 13 and' 14. As the -.o .eration abo'veg described is repeated, it will at once-be apparent that, for any' time interval when the-load is not as great' as for a previous" time interval, vthe floats' will noche disturbed during that in- 120I terval, but that, 'on the other hand, it will at-all times be in aposition to indicate upon the scale 9 the maximum amount of currenttime units orenergy-tme units required by the load during anyone of the preceding 125 uring'which the device was in operation since the returning of the float- 5 to `its-zero position. 'This4 act of 'return' in the float A5 to its zero position is provi edforby the 'cap 7,for by removing theY 130 .to be fthe' same, if theftime interval were1 quired forenergy-time4 .units for twice-as 'ha-1f of that requiredto be 'either an Vintegrati i cap the float may'readily be moved'down-y ward into engagement vwith the surface of. the solution.

Fig. 2 represents scale from Fig. 1, as,'forexample, ifthe scale shown in .Fig.4 1' is understood tojbe f graduated in energytimeunits for; a' certain'. voltageupon the main line', .the scale shown in Fig. 2' will represent the graduation re# afdiferent graduation of great a voltage upon'the main line feeders val determined by the U-tube V1,'5--were one y usedV with. the sca-le shown in Fig. 1.

The scale shown in Fi fiafiutsmiesuie. changerequired tobe ma e, again assuming. '1

the' aforesaid; electrolytic device, a sec,-

the base of energy-time units, ifA the volta e.' Wereone half of thatia'ssumed-for the sca ef 1 shown` in Fig.' 1; or, assuming the voltagel twice that assumed -for the scaleindicated in Fig.' 1. 'l

The` mechanism shown anddescribed^-in- Fig. 1l may be connected with .afstanda'rd lelectricitymeter, as indicated in.Fig.` 4. In.-

- actuated proportionally 'to 4current flow; an indicator operated by said first 4electrolytic this figure the meter, vvhich'isA assumed to be of the integrating type,and which'may be ammeter or an Sinteting wattiiieter, is indicated-at 25, the.' ine lwires 26 and 27 being connected withf it as indicated. The load` terminals 28 and 29, instead of being'connected with theload, areconnected by wires 30 and' 31 with the supply terminals 22v and 3,3, respectively, of the' maximum demand instrument,- which is ilidicatedas a. whole bythe numeral 34. The

load terminals 3 5and 36- ofthe maximum demand instrument 34 are connected withthat the maximum demand instrument be the load 37 as indicated. I The circuit connections of the maximum demand instrument 34 are precisely 'the `same as `those shown and described above in connection withFig. 1.-4 4,

Fig; 4 merely illustrates the ,simplicity of connecting in circuit the maximum demand instrument 34 with an electriitymeter of standard construction, since the constructionof the integrating meter is not changed in any particular, all that is required being l shown the U-tube 15 as a timingdevice for determining the successive intervals of operation of the maximum demand tube l, this U-tube 15 may be used for other purposes than controlling the action of such a maximum demand' tube, and that, in fact, it may be used for timing generally wherever a practically constant vo tage is available to cause the electrolytic action, and --that the i Iid -caus ed .to operate, either directly or., mdirectly, by the current flowing in said circuit, v,

VVVli'ile I=have shown my invention-in the particular embodiments herein-described, I

donut, however, limitvmy'self to these. ways 'of carryin out my invention', as I 'may make A13 and 14; or the Scale" shown in Fig. 2.,V might be employed for the samevoltage-to in indicate energy-time units if the time' inter,-

' ,Y 1. 1I 1''aninstrument combination of afirst electrolytic device actuated proportionally tovc urrer'it flow, an indicator' 4theo ration of=which is effected ond-.electrolytic ,device actuated 4substantially. proportionally to time, and connections between said electrolytic devices by which theroperationof the seconddevice rethe firstdevice to its initial condition.

2. an. instrument for determining the maximum electrical demand of a-circuit, the' combinationgiof-'f a.firstj electrolytic device device, a 4second. electrolytic device actuated.

ss. i

substantially proportionally to time, and

connections between said electrolytic devices by which the operation of the second device4 restores both of said devices to their initial' conditions at regular timeintervals.

3. Inan instrument for determining the maximumelectrical demand of a circuit, the combination of alfirst device actuated proportionally 'to current flow, an indicating device for registering the'operation of said first device, a second device actuated sub` stantially proportionally to time' adapted to determine intervals '.of time, by successive interrupted operations, and circuit connecr.'

tions .controlled by 'the seco-nd device ex-,

tending between said 'first Vand second de' vices whereby. said first device is periodi cally returned to its initialv condition.

'4. In an instrument of the .class described, the combination of a first-device actuated proportionally to current flow, an indicat- .ing device for registering the operation of said first device, a second device actuated by' a practically constant voltage 'for determining intervals of time, and circuit connec tions controlledby one of said devices extending between saidfirst and second devices whereby both of said devices are periodically returned to their initial condition.

5. In an instrument for determining the maximum electrical demand of a. circuit, the combination of a first device actuated proportionally to currentV flow, an indicating iis device for registering the maximum operation of said first device, a second device actuated by a practically constant voltage for determining intervals of time, and circuit connections controlled by one of said devices extending between said first and second devices whereby both of said devices are periodically returned to their initial condition without moving said indicator from the position of maximum registration to which it has been moved.

G. In an instrument for determining the maximum electrical demand ofa circuit, the combination of a U-tube hermetically sealed at one end, an electrolyte in said tube, an ignitingr device'insideof the tube at its sealed end, electrodes in the tube near the bottom of the sealed leg of the tube, a de vice for periodically actuating the igniting device to combine the gases collected in the closed leg of the U-tube and means for registering the highest electrolyte level attained in the ot-her leg of the U-otube. A

7. In an iristrumnt for determining th maximum electrical demand of a circuit, the combina-tion of a U-tube hermetically sealed at one end, an electrolyte in said tube, an igniting device inside of the tube at its 4sealed end, electrodes in the tube near the bottom of the sealed leg'of the tube, a device for periodically actuating the igniting device to combine the gases collected in the closed side of the U-tube, a float in the other side of the U-tube, and a device for holding the float in the highest position to which it is moved.

8. In an instrument for determining th/e tering the highest electrolyte level attained in the U-tube, a second U-tube-having one of its ends hermetically sealed, an electrolyte in said lsecond tube, electrodes in said second tube near the lower ends of the sealed side thereof, and circuit terminals in the other leg of said second tube for controlling the operation of the igniting device in the first-mentioned U-tube.

9. In an instrument for determining the maximum electrical demand of a circuit, the combination of a U-tube hermetically sealed at one end, an lelectrolyte in said tube, an igniting device inside of the tube at its sealed end, electrodes in the tube near the bottom of the sealed leg of the tube, means for registering the highest electrolyte level attained in said tube, a second U-tube having one of its ends hermetically sealed, an

electrolyte in'said second tube, electrodes ir said second tube near the lower end of the sealed side thereof, an igniter device inside of the sealed end of said second U-tube, and circuit terminals in the other leg of said second tube for controlling the operation oi the igniting devices.

10. In an instrument fordetermining the maximum electrical demand of a circuit, the combination of a U-tube hermetically sealed at one end, an electrolyte in said tube, an igniting device inside of the tube at its Sealed end, electrodes in the tube near the bottom of the sealed leg of the tube, a second U-tube having one of its ends hermetically sealed, an electrolyte in said second tube, electrodes in said second tube near the lower end of the sealed side thereof, an igniter device inside of the sealed end of said second U-tube, and circuit terminals in the other leg ofv said second tube for controlling the operation of the igniting devices, a float in the unsealed side of the first-mentioned U-tube, a device for holding said fioat in the highest position to which it is moved, and a scale for indicating the value ofY the position of said float.

11. Apparatus of the class described comprising a U-shaped tube hermetically sealed at one end, an electrolyte in said tube, an igniter device located in the sealed end of said tube,electrodes near the bottom of the sealed leg of said tube, means controlling the actuation of said igniter device, and means for registering the greatest height attained by the electrolyte due to the formation of gas in the sealed leg of the tube. 12. Apparatus of the class described comprising a U-shaped tube hermetically sealed at one end, an electrolyte in said tube, an igniter device located inside the sealed end -of said tube, electrodes near the bottom of 4maximum electrical demand of a circuit,

the combination of a U-tube hermetically sealed at one end, an electrolyte in said tube, electrodes in the tube near the bottom of the sealed leg of the tube, an igniting device to .combine the gases collected in the closed side ofthe U-tube, a second U-tube having one of its ends hermetically sealed, an electrolyte in said second tube, electrodes in said second tube near the lower end of the sealed side thereof, and circuit termina-ls in the other leg of said second tube for controlling the operation of the igniting device in the first-mentioned U-tube, said circuit terminals mounted in a sliding plunger movable to different positions in said second U-tube to change the time intervals of operation determined by said second U-tube. s 1.4.l Apparatus capable of indicating the greatest amount of electricityconsumed during a number of equal intervals ottime comprising a U-tube, an electrolyte in said tube, one end of said U-tube being hermetically sealed, means for decomposing the electrolyte in the sealed leg of the tube at a rate proportional to the consumptionA of electricity, means for causing the gases of electrolysis to return to their normal state at recurring time intervals, and means for registering the greatest height attained by the electrolyte in the unsealed leg of the tube.

15. Apparatus capable of indicating the lgreatest amount of electricity consumed during a period of equal time intervals. comprising a U-tube having one end thereof hermetically sealed, an electrolyte in said tube, means for decomposing the electrolyte at a rate proportional to the consumption of electricity whereby gases accumulate in the sealed end of the tube and the electrolyte level rises in the unsealed end of the tube, means for causing the gases of electrolysis to return to their former state at regularly y, recurring intervals of time, a oat in the open end of the U-shaped tube, and means for retaining said float at the highest point' to which it is carried When the electrolyte level rises Within the open end of the U- shaped tube.

16. In an instrument for determining the maximum electrical demand of a circuit, the combination of an electrolyte container, an electrolyte in said container, said container conformed to provide two chambers above the electrolyte thereinfoneof said chambers being sealed against communication with the atmosphere, an igniting device in said sealed chamber, electrodes immersed in the electrolyte arranged to generate a supply of gas in said sealed chamber and thus change the electrolyte levels in said chambers, means for periodically o erating the igniting device to combine t e gases collectedA in the aforesaid sealed chamber, and means for registering the highest electrolyte level attamed in the other chamber. l

17. In an instrument for determining the maximum electrical demand of a circuit, the combination of an electrolyte container, an electrolyte in said container, said container conformed to provide tWo chambers above the electrolyte therein, one of saidchambers being sealed against communication with the atmosphere, an igniting device in said sealed chamber, electrodes immersed in the electrolyte arranged to enerate a supply of gas in said sealed cham er and thus change gas in said sealed cham y above the level of the' electrolyte therein, an lgnlting device in saidA chamber, electrodes in the electrolyte arrangedto generate gases which collect in said chamber and thus change the level of the electrolyte, together with ymeans for periodically operating the igniting device to combine the gases collected in said chamber, and means for registering the maximum change in electrolyte level due to the collection of gas in said chamber.

19. In an instrument for determining the maximum electrical demand of afcircuit, the combination of an electrolyte container, an electrolyte in said container, nsaid container conformed to provide two chambers above the velectrolyte therein, one of said chambers being sealed against communication with the atmosphere, an igniting device in said sealed chamber, electrodes immersed in the electrolyte arranged to enerate a supply of er and thus change the electrolyte vlevels in said chambers, means for periodically operating'the igniting device to combine the gases collected in the aforesaid sealed` chamber, and means disposed in the other chamber operated when the level of the electrolyte in said chamber rises.

20. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination an electrolyte container, an electrolyte therein., said container conformed to provide a sealed chamber above the level'of the electrolyte therein, an igniter device located in said sealed chamber, electrodes immersed in the electrolyte below said chamber, means for controlling the actuation of the igniter device, and means for registering the greatest change in the electrolyte level Within said container due to the formation of gas in saidsealed chamber between successive operations of said igniter device.

E21. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, an electrolyte container, an electrolyte therein,I said container conformed to provide a sealed chamber above the level of the electrolyte therein, an igniter device located in said sealed chamber, electrodes immersed in the electrolyte below said chamber, means for controlling of electrolyte due to the formation of gas in said chamber v f 22. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination an electrolyte container, an electrolyte therein, said container conformed toprovide a sealed chamber above the level of the electrolyte therein., an igniter device located in said sealed chamber, an indicating device, and electrodes immersed in the electrolyte arranged to geners ate gas in said sealed chamber -to displace the indicating device.

23. Apparatus of the class described comprising a u-shaped'tube hermetically sealed at one end, van electrolyte in said tube, an igniter device located inside the sealed end of said tube, electrodes near the bottom of the sealed leg of said" tube, circuit'connections for maintaining a practically constant current fiow between said electrodes, a/ pair.

of circuit terminals disposed within the un'- sealed end of said tube, the position of Said circuit terminals determining the length of time intervals between actuations of the igniter device, and means for varying the positions of the terminals with respect to the normal electrolyte level.

24. The method of ascertaining the maximum consumption of electricity supply during a plurality of time intervals, which consistsfiun decomp osing a liquid electrolyte to 1ty, igniting the gases thus formed at the end of each of a plurality of equal time intervals to cause the gases to recombine-in the form of electrolyte, and ascertaining the Igreatest volume vof gas created within any of said time intervals.

26. The method vwhich consists in decomposing an electrolyte to form gases at a rate proportional to the consumption of electricity, successively igniting the gases thus formed to cause the gases to recombine in the form yof electrolyte, and ascertaining the maximum ratio of the several successively formed Volumes of gases to the periods of' time in which said volumes of .gases were produced.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name thislth da of June, A. D., 1913. C ESTER IfHALL. Y Witnesses.:

' ALBERT G. MCCALEB,

ALBIN C. AHLBERG. 

